Jack Nicklaus speaks to the media during a news conference Tuesday at Augusta National. / David Cannon, Getty Images

by Dan Wolken, USA TODAY Sports

by Dan Wolken, USA TODAY Sports

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Jack Nicklaus continues to believe Tiger Woods will eventually break his record of 18 majors despite being stuck on 14 since the 2008 U.S. Open.

"I think he's just too talented, too driven and too focused on it," Nicklaus said Tuesday at a news conference at the Masters.

Woods has won three times already this year, coming on the heels of a three-win season in 2012, and there is renewed focus on his pursuit of Nicklaus' record.

Given that Nicklaus captured his final major title at age 46, Woods would only need to win five of the next 40 majors to pass Nicklaus by the same age.

But with each major-less year that passes, that task gets more difficult.

"Obviously the older he gets, and if he doesn't win, it makes my record move out further," Nicklaus said. "He has to win five majors, which is a pretty good career to most people. Still, he's got to go do it. He's played very, very well this spring ,and I think if he wins here I think it would be a very large step toward regaining the confidence that he hasn't won a major. If he figures it out here it'll be a great boost for him. If he doesn't figure it out here, after the spring he's had, I think it'll be a lot tougher for him."